SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – Some instructors at Springfield Technical Community College are taking part in the Massachusetts Teachers Association’s Call for Action Day. The event is designed to bring attention to the reliance on adjunct or part-time faculty at the state’s public colleges, and to demand benefits and better wages for those adjunct professors.

Michelle Nash, an adjunct professor at STCC, told 22News that on average, adjunct professor earns 40 cents on the dollar compared to a full-time professor with benefits.

“It’s equally qualified people doing the same work being paid a portion, but the students’ fees are still very high, so we are asking for student support so that they can find out where their money is going,” Nash said.

According to the Massachusetts Teachers Association, adjuncts teach approximately 70% of classes at the state’s community colleges, make significantly less money, receive no benefits, have no job security, and are not part of the state pension system.